Mod Talk - Favorite & Best Mods

Comments

So, with all the talk about mods people like and recommend, let me ask this. If a mod doesn't come with an uninstaller, how do we uninstall the mod? Is just removing the files enough? Such as a mod like XP Cap Remover?

Weidu mods install by a file called setup-Modname.exe. To uninstall a mod just use this a second time and you should get the uninstall action in the window that opens. Removing the file does nothing but corrupt your install. The uninstall process removes files from the game files and restores the backup of files the mod has changed. It also removes entries from a file named Weidu.log.Be cautious when uninstalling stuff. Mods are installed one after another in a sequence logged in the Weidu.log. To uninstall a mod that is somewhere in a sequence, the operation needs first to uninstall ALL mods that were installed behind it, then removes your selected mod and finally re-installs the remaining mods once again. This is only successful if the Weidu a) finds all the backup files and b) all mods were installed with Weidu. There are a few (big, older) mods that do extra operations (like biffing files) and those can cause problems.If in doubt, read the readme's or ask on a forum.

Finally, if a mod is not to your liking. there may be other options to restore your game besides uninstalling. e.g. if a mod is very early in the sequence. Your example with XPCap remover can also be undone by changing just one or two files that are affected. A corrupted spell for example can be easily repaired by just restoring a single file from the backup of the mod which changed it. Just ask if you run into a specific problem.

I will ask if I have an issue, and thanks again. I didn't know there were so many mods for this game, so I started by installing basic mods, XP Cap Remover, one to allow respawn rates quicker, then I got into a big mod with the NPC Project and now the Lefreut's Enhanced UI. This is all I have installed so far, but will check out a lot of the others once I have played my mostly vanilla playthrough. I am familiar with install order because I have installed a lot of mods with TES games, but the main reason I asked this question is to know how to uninstall and reinstall to get the load order correct if I do install a ton of mods.

So, with all the talk about mods people like and recommend, let me ask this. If a mod doesn't come with an uninstaller, how do we uninstall the mod? Is just removing the files enough? Such as a mod like XP Cap Remover?

Tweaks Anthology has an XP cap remover that can be uninstalled and covers a lot more stuff.

@Pause if you need to uninstall all your mods depending on the launcher you use, re-verifying the game files will reset you to a clean install.

This is a very useful hint. Sometimes the easier way if things get wrong with mod installations is to start from a fresh install. Trying to *repair* complex failed installations is often just waste of time and a new install is the better option.

@Pause if you need to uninstall all your mods depending on the launcher you use, re-verifying the game files will reset you to a clean install.

This is a very useful hint. Sometimes the easier way if things get wrong with mod installations is to start from a fresh install. Trying to *repair* complex failed installations is often just waste of time and a new install is the better option.

Actually, you can run into trouble when trying to use an old save in a new install of the game. I personally would never recommend it. Having said that, if the new install uses the exact same list of mods as well as the same versions of those mods, then you should be ok… probably.

Honestly, it can be more trouble than it is worth trying to figure out what went wrong. I would recommend finishing your old game before starting a new setup with different mods. Also, in general, I don’t recommend trying to add new mods into an existing install if you want to continue playing your old saves. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Actually, you can run into trouble when trying to use an old save in a new install of the game. I personally would never recommend it. Having said that, if the new install uses the exact same list of mods as well as the same versions of those mods, then you should be ok… probably.

Honestly, it can be more trouble than it is worth trying to figure out what went wrong. I would recommend finishing your old game before starting a new setup with different mods. Also, in general, I don’t recommend trying to add new mods into an existing install if you want to continue playing your old saves. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Actually, you can run into trouble when trying to use an old save in a new install of the game. I personally would never recommend it. Having said that, if the new install uses the exact same list of mods as well as the same versions of those mods, then you should be ok… probably.

Honestly, it can be more trouble than it is worth trying to figure out what went wrong. I would recommend finishing your old game before starting a new setup with different mods. Also, in general, I don’t recommend trying to add new mods into an existing install if you want to continue playing your old saves. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Ok, I ran into issues like this when modding TES games too, thanks.

*if the new install uses the exact same list of mods as well as the same versions of those mods*

this is the only way you could make old saves work, in all other cases you will get issues with the texts in the game (the famous dialog.tlk file). Just one entry that is different and all subsequent text (names, dialogues, item descriptions) will be off. If you really have the same install at the beginning of your sequence and add new stuff to the end, you are fine as well.You can add new mods to a running game but only under specific conditions. You can add mods that affect a later part of the game which you have not yet played. You can add NPCs depending on their dependency on game contents (e.g. if they need game events you have already passed, it's over for them). You can add graphical mods as their contents is not stored in the saves.You can do other things on top but you need to know exactly what is stored in the savegames and in which format. Some things (e.g. areas or creatures) are stored in the state you left them in game while scripts or items are just stored by their reference, i.e. if you change a script or item, the change will become effective as soon as you leave the game and start it anew while changes to areas only become visible if you have not already visited that area.

Unless your game is broken (due to mod issues) or you just tested it, you should consider this when deciding on a new install and re-start:You will do the initial events of the game over and over again before you reach new ground. It may get boring after a while as if you never progress. Just play it further and explore it and keep all the things you may do on top for the next playthrough. The good thing about Baldur*s Gate is that you can by design take many different roads through the game. Play another character (gender, race, class) next time, take other companions, make other decisions (last time you sided with the thieves, next time side with Bodhi) and add other mods.Don't stuff too much into your first playthrough, it may get endless and tiring and confusing. Big installations are more targetted at players who have done a *lean* game before.

Don't stuff too much into your first playthrough, it may get endless and tiring and confusing. Big installations are more targetted at players who have done a *lean* game before.

Yes, lol, this. I just entered the city of Baldur's Gate for the first time, and made my way to the thieves guild, and started a time sensitive quest. So I started going to all the sections of Baldur's Gate, and people kept coming up to me and I was starting new quests (also time sensitive) and I got overwhelmed, lol. So I reloaded an old save from right before I entered the thieves guild. But taking on too much in this game will definitely bog you down.

I can't believe how big Baldur's Gate really is. I mean, you see it on the map the entire game, but I had no clue.

@Pause, my experience is that it just uses the Q hotkey and rotates through the quick save slots (1-4 based on your install selection). If you want a different key, you can reassign the key ingame (in Options/Gameplay/Hotkeys) if you want.

@Pause, my experience is that it just uses the Q hotkey and rotates through the quick save slots (1-4 based on your install selection). If you want a different key, you can reassign the key ingame (in Options/Gameplay/Hotkeys) if you want.

Gus

Hahaha, you taught me something new, I never saw that option before to be able to change the keys, thanks man.

@CamDawg@PaulaMigrate I enjoyed this discussion about this mod Ascension, it sounds interesting, but I think on my first playthrough I will stick to how the game was released. This mod sounds like it only affects the very last battle, does it do more than that?

This thread is not just about mods that add extra content, but all mods:

Or anything else I haven't named. I basically am looking for everyone's favorite mods regardless of the category.

1. Ascension is more than the final battle. It also adds more contents to the final chapter of ToB including another path.

Most important: When you fight the last five bhaalspawns and find out about the BIG deceit behind it all, you can persuade the *good* bhaalspawn, Balthazar who wants to stop Bhaal's return, to side with you. The battle is harder but you have an ally and there is one less opponent.

2. Aside from the NPC mods I have named earlier, there are some big contents adding mods I never play without - In BG1 part

Dark Side of the Sword Coast

Drizzt Saga

Northern Tales of the Sword Coast (maybe only available for EET at the moment?)

BGQE (a collection of smaller quests)

The Grey Clan

Siren's Call

Unfinished Business

The Stone of Askavar

(Dark Horizon - if you restrain yourself to pick up dropped items from foe)

still missing for EE is Secret of Bone Hill - it was announced for conversion some time ago but did not yet happen as far as I know

- In BG2

Druid Grove Area Visual Makeover

Alternatives (allows additional choices to get to the Asylum aside from Thieves/Bodhi)

Adalon's Blood (to finish the skinner quest)

Southern Edge: the new district of Athkatla

Tower Of Deception

Afaaq, the Djinni Companion

DQ Questpack

Expanded Thief Stronghold

Tales of Anegh (high level adventure that triggers late in BG2 or can be delayed until ToB)

Region Of Terror (at this moment the EE conversion is still experimental)

The Darkest Day

Fishing for Trouble

Selected components from ATweaks and SCS

Romantic Encounters (My personal choice is the BG2 version, the BG1 version I omit)

Almateria's restauration

Chloe

Yasraena

Foundling (this is part of a larger mod *family* colours of infinity, this is the only one from it I personally choose, but I know the others have a large fan base, so it's probably just not my taste)

the various banter packs for BG2

- also in BG2 but affecting ToB

Ascension

Wheels of Prophesy

Longer Road

Illyos (not sure he is officially EE already)

- Since I play the EET version of the game, I also use some mods that may not be available otherwise

Deep Gnomes (formerly part of Aurora Shoes and Boots)

SoD Banter Restauration

Northern Tales of the Sword Coast

The Sandrah Saga

Move Items to Irenicus Dungeon

Worldmap!!!!

This is a very long list (and those are just my favourites), I have much more installed and I decide during game what I really use of it, e.g. which NPC I take along or which quest I follow. I always play my games from beginning to end, so I take as much as sensible in my install

@CamDawg@PaulaMigrate I enjoyed this discussion about this mod Ascension, it sounds interesting, but I think on my first playthrough I will stick to how the game was released. This mod sounds like it only affects the very last battle, does it do more than that?

This thread is not just about mods that add extra content, but all mods:

Or anything else I haven't named. I basically am looking for everyone's favorite mods regardless of the category.

1. Ascension is more than the final battle. It also adds more contents to the final chapter of ToB including another path.

Most important: When you fight the last five bhaalspawns and find out about the BIG deceit behind it all, you can persuade the *good* bhaalspawn, Balthazar who wants to stop Bhaal's return, to side with you. The battle is harder but you have an ally and there is one less opponent.

2. Aside from the NPC mods I have named earlier, there are some big contents adding mods I never play without - In BG1 part

Dark Side of the Sword Coast

Drizzt Saga

Northern Tales of the Sword Coast (maybe only available for EET at the moment?)

BGQE (a collection of smaller quests)

The Grey Clan

Siren's Call

Unfinished Business

The Stone of Askavar

(Dark Horizon - if you restrain yourself to pick up dropped items from foe)

still missing for EE is Secret of Bone Hill - it was announced for conversion some time ago but did not yet happen as far as I know

- In BG2

Druid Grove Area Visual Makeover

Alternatives (allows additional choices to get to the Asylum aside from Thieves/Bodhi)

Adalon's Blood (to finish the skinner quest)

Southern Edge: the new district of Athkatla

Tower Of Deception

Afaaq, the Djinni Companion

DQ Questpack

Expanded Thief Stronghold

Tales of Anegh (high level adventure that triggers late in BG2 or can be delayed until ToB)

Region Of Terror (at this moment the EE conversion is still experimental)

The Darkest Day

Fishing for Trouble

Selected components from ATweaks and SCS

Romantic Encounters (My personal choice is the BG2 version, the BG1 version I omit)

Almateria's restauration

Chloe

Yasraena

Foundling (this is part of a larger mod *family* colours of infinity, this is the only one from it I personally choose, but I know the others have a large fan base, so it's probably just not my taste)

the various banter packs for BG2

- also in BG2 but affecting ToB

Ascension

Wheels of Prophesy

Longer Road

Illyos (not sure he is officially EE already)

- Since I play the EET version of the game, I also use some mods that may not be available otherwise

Deep Gnomes (formerly part of Aurora Shoes and Boots)

SoD Banter Restauration

Northern Tales of the Sword Coast

The Sandrah Saga

Move Items to Irenicus Dungeon

Worldmap!!!!

This is a very long list (and those are just my favourites), I have much more installed and I decide during game what I really use of it, e.g. which NPC I take along or which quest I follow. I always play my games from beginning to end, so I take as much as sensible in my install

Hi @PaulaMigrate - now that BWS is not being looked after how would you download your mod list or best order as planning to do a mega mod run and wanted to try sandra saga but didnt work when I went through BWS

Hi @PaulaMigrate - now that BWS is not being looked after how would you download your mod list or best order as planning to do a mega mod run and wanted to try sandra saga but didnt work when I went through BWS

I'm currently trying a new (for me) npc mod. Sirene so far seems to be very well done. A unique and interesting (but not overpowered) kit. An interesting conflict that doesn't seem to completely eclipse her other characteristics. Haven't finished the BG1 portion yet, but I'm really liking her so far. Note that she is a Paladin, and apparently some people can't stand Paladins.

I'm currently trying a new (for me) npc mod. Sirene so far seems to be very well done. A unique and interesting (but not overpowered) kit. An interesting conflict that doesn't seem to completely eclipse her other characteristics. Haven't finished the BG1 portion yet, but I'm really liking her so far. Note that she is a Paladin, and apparently some people can't stand Paladins.

Thanks @PaulaMigrate and will hold off on BWS and still busy midway of my mod run. have the sirene mod on my current run but didnt think she fits in my evil party...maybe I should reconsider or save her for my paladin run next

Thanks @PaulaMigrate and will hold off on BWS and still busy midway of my mod run. have the sirene mod on my current run but didnt think she fits in my evil party...maybe I should reconsider or save her for my paladin run next

You'll have to save her for the next run because I coded her to not join an evil-aligned PC.

Nope, simple mind tricks won't work on her Actually the truth is I never thought of adding it in. Maybe something for me to consider, assuming I ever add more to the mod (I have enough on my hands already)

Changing your alignment for the recruiting process then changing it back works though. I didn't account for everything.

Darnit! There goes that little plan then. It might could be interesting, especially if she were to go along with something like that and then,well, even paladins can make themselves wait for the right moment at least once in a while.

The Shadow Adept ( by the above) is turning out to be one of the most interesting kit mods to date, revisions still ongoing but darned awesome. If one thinks they have their arcane spell plan down pat, this is a whole new ballgame, esp. for Shar lovers.